Category: AHL

Silver Knights take down Barracuda 6-3 keep playoff hopes alive

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The San Jose Barracuda Jayden Halbgewachs (89) battles for the puck behind the net against the Henderson Silver Knights at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Apr 9, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Henderson Silver Knights scored four goals in the first period en route to a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Sunday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost a franchise worst nine games in a row. Henderson has won two out of its past three games and currently sit in sixth place in the Pacific Division with 60 points.

Henderson (28-28-3-1) scored twice in a 49 second span early in the first period. First a turnover inside the ‘Cuda zone led to Ben Jones tipping home a shot from Jermaine Loewen past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his 21st goal of the season at the 7:39 mark.

Then at the 8:28 mark Paul Cotter skated right down the middle of the nice and snapped a wrist shot through the five-hole of Stalock for his 18th goal of the season.

San Jose (20-37-3-2) temporarily cut the lead in half with a power play goal just past the halfway mark of the opening frame. Lane Pederson sent a pass back up to the point where Artemi Kniazev blasted a slap shot through the five hole of Silver Night’s goalie Jiri Patera for his seventh goal of the season at the 11:09 mark.

Henderson closed out the first period with two late goals. Kaeden Korczak’s shot was whacked out of midair by Ben Thomson, who was camped out in front of the crease, for his first goal in an Silver Knights uniform at the 14:56 mark.

Loewen capped of the combined five-goal first period when he finished off a one-timer past Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 18:06 mark.

San Jose once again cut the lead in half early in the second period. A shot from the point by Kniazev was redirected past Patera by Dillon Hamaliuk for his third goal of the season at the 3:34 mark.

The Silver Knights regained their three-goal lead with a power play goal. Colt Conrad sent a rink wide pass to Jack Dugan whose one-timer beat Stalock to the far side for his fifth goal of the season at the 13:11 mark.

San Jose was awarded a penalty shot when Alan Quine was called for hooking at the 11:03 mark of the third penalty. However, Mason Jobst’s attempt was stoned away by Patera.

The Barracuda scored with 47 seconds left in the game when Santeri Hatakka beat Pantera with a fluttering wrist shot to the far side for his second goal of the season.

Brayden Pachal closed out the scoring with an empty net, his second of the season, with 14 seconds left to seal the deal for the Silver Knights.

Patera finished the evening stopping 25 of the 28 shots he faced in earning the victory. Stalock made 32 saves on 37 saves in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-1 on the power play. Henderson was 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Jones 2) Loewen 3) Kniazev

UP NEXT: San Jose and Henderson complete their two-game series on Sunday 4/10 at 1:15pm at SAP Center.

Griffith’s OT win propel Condors over Barracuda in 3-2 win

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The San Jose Barracuda forward Joachim Blichfeld (86) takes a shot in front of the Bakersfield Condors right winger Seth Griffith (39) at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Wed Mar 6, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — It was a nice comeback, but the result was still the same.

Seth Griffin scored the game winning goal in overtime to give The Bakersfield Condors a 3-2 overtime victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday morning.

Griffth’s 23rd goal of the season came at the 1:48 mark in the extra session. Griffith skated in from the blueline and around Joachim Blichfeld and finished off a brilliant play with a backhand shot top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock.

Despite earning a point, San Jose has lost a season worst eight games in a row with eight games left to play. Bakersfield have won three out of its last four games and sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division with 72 points.

Bakersfield (31-18-5-5) drew first blood in the final minute of the first period with a power play goal. Dylan Holloway set up Yanni Kaldis at the point and the Condors defenseman sent a quick shot past Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 19:02 mark.

It was the seventh straight game San Jose (20-36-3-2) has given up a power play goal to the opposing team.

The Condors doubled their lead with a short-handed goal early in the second period. James Hamblin pick pocketed Artemi Kniazev inside the ‘Cuda zone. Hamblin got Stalock to go down before putting a backhander past him for his 18th goal of the season at the 5:08 mark.

San Jose has given up five short-handed goals in their last eight games.

The Barracuda had only three shots in the middle frame as they were outshot 23-10 after 40 minutes.

San Jose cut the lead in half with a power play goal past the halfway mark in the third period. Blichfeld cleaned up a rebound with a hook and drag move in the right slot and snapped home a wrist shot past Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner for his team leading 23rd goal at the 11:04 mark.

Blichfeld set the single season franchise record for power play goals with 12 as he eclipsed the mark set by Danny O’Regan back in 2011 season.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer late in the third period thanks to a good individual effort by Jayden Halbgewachs. Blichfeld sent a pass up into the Condor’s zone. Halbgewachs made a nice move around Marcus Neimelainen before roofing a shot top shelf past Stuart for his 17th goal of the season at the 15:33 mark.

Stuart (17-4-5) finished the morning stopping 18 of the 20 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock (4-6-1) made 34 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield was 1-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Griffith 2) Hamblin 3) Halbgewachs

Stuart is 9-0 against San Jose on home ice.

UP NEXT: San Jose return home to begin a two-game series with the Henderson Silver Knights on Saturday 4/9 at 6:00pm at SAP Center.

Heat edge Barracuda 3-1, win season series 9-1

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San Jose Barracuda couldn’t catch up to the Stockton Heat at the SAP Center on Sun Apr 3, 2022 closing out their season series for 2021-22 (image from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Some endings come mercifully.

The crescendo for the San Jose Barracuda in their season series with the Stockton Heat concluded with a 3-1 victory by the Pacific Division leading Heat on Sunday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose has tied its season worst losing streak of seven games with nine game remaining. Stockton has won eight of their past nine games as they continue to lead the AHL in points with 87. San Jose went 1-7-1-1 against their division rival this season.

Neither team was able to breakthrough on the scoreboard in the scoreless first period.

San Jose had jump in their legs to begin the game and outplayed Stockton in the opening frame as the outshot the Heat 10-5.

“I thought our compete was there tonight,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “We didn’t give up much after the first two periods. Way better effort from everyone. I thought everyone gave it their best tonight.”

Stockton (41-12-4-1) drew first blood on the power play to open the second period. A shot from the left slot pinballed around in the crease before Byron Froese poked the puck home for his 18th goal of the season at the 2:34 mark.

The Heat needed just six seconds to double its lead as they scored on the next shift. Johannes Kinnvall found Connor Zary just inside the blue line. Zary snapped a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his 11th goal of the season.

Stalock kept San Jose (20-36-2-2) in the game with a brilliant desperation save near the halfway mark of the middle frame. Martin Pospisil had an empty net to shoot at but his quick shot was gloved out of mid air by Stalock while he was down on his stomach leaving a bewildered Pospisil in utter disbelief.

“He (Stalock) made some big stops for us when it counted. He gave a chance to win. We only got two goals by their goalie Wolf (in two games). You’re going to need more than two goals to beat that team,” Sommer said.

San Jose cut the lead in the half on the power play to start the third period. Artemi Kniazev blasted a slap shot past Heat goalie Dustin Wolf for his sixth goal of the season at the 1:38 mark.

Justin Kirkland added an empty net goal with 57 seconds left to seal the deal for Stockton. It was his 18th goal of the season.

Wolf finished the afternoon stopping 27 of the 28 shots he faced in sweeping San Jose this weekend. Stalock, who played his best game since being acquired by San Jose, made 25 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort as the ‘Cuda failed to get give him any goal support this weekend.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Stockton was 1-for-4.

‘Cuda backup goalie Zachary Emond flew in from Orlando earlier today and flew into the Bay Area an hour and a half before the opening faceoff.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Wolf 2) Zary 3) Stalock

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to Bakersfield to take on the Condors on Wednesday 4/5 at 10:30am at Mechanics Bank Arena.

Heat beat up on the Barracuda in 7-1 win

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Read and weep the San Jose Barracuda get crushed in a six goal contest against the Stockton Heat at the Stockton Arena on Sat Apr 2, 2022 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are down to one goalie.

Starting goalie Zachary Sawchenko suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period and did not return as the Stockton Heat dominated the San Jose Barracuda in a 7-1 victory on Saturday evening at Stockton Arena.

Stockton has won six of their last seven games as they lead the Pacific Division with 85 points. San Jose has lost six games in a row and anchor the bottom of the division with 44 points with nine games left to play.

San Jose (20-35-2-2) actually drew first blood 68 seconds into the game. Lane Pedersen blasted a shot on net that was initially stopped by Heat goalie Dustin Wolf. Mason Jobst, who played in his second game with the ‘Cuda, cleaned up a big rebound for his first goal as member of the Barracuda and his fifth overall on the season at the 1:08 mark.

Stockton (40-12-4-1) responded at the 7:24 mark with a power play goal. Justin Kirkland fired on a shot on net that redirected by Connor Zary past Sawchenko for his 10th goal of the season.

The Heat took the lead with 1:04 left in the opening frame with a short-handed goal. Eetu Tuuola finished off a three-on-two odd man rush with a wrist shot to the near post for his 12th goal of the season.

Alex Stalock replaced Sawchenko to start the second period. Sawchenko finished with 12 saves on 14 shots.

Stockton scored two late goals in the second period for a comfortable 4-1 lead.

Tuuola scored his second goal of the game and 13th of the season when he cleaned up the rebound off of a Byron Froese shot at the 14:34 mark.

Then just over four minutes later when Matthew Phillips took advantage of a Barracuda turnover inside their own zone. Phillips buried a wrist shot past Stalock after receiving the gift for his 26th goal of the season.

Stockton put the game away with three goals in the third period.

Glenn Gawdin scored his 14th goal of the season at the 2:52 mark. Phillips scored his second goal of the game at the 11:17 mark. Adam Ruzcika completed the scoring with his 11th goal with 15 second remaining.

Wolf finished the evening stopping 24 of the 25 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock made 22 saves on 27 shots in mop-up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-1 on the power play. Stockton was 1-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Tuuola 2) Phillips 3) Kirkland

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its season series with Stockton on Sunday 4/3 at 3:00pm at SAP Center.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Hrabik will be left off active roster too toxic after racist gesture suspension

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The San Jose Barracuda Steenn Pasichnuk (80) holds back the Tucson Roadrunners Boko Imama (right) after the Barracuda’s Krystof Hrabik (81) made racist ape like gestures towards Imama on Jan 12, 2022. Hrabik was suspeneded for 30 games which was shortened to 28 activated on Wed Mar 30, 2022. The Barracuda will not have him back for the rest of the season and his contract is finished after this season. (file photo by fearofthefin.com)

On the SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Despite the AHL lifting the 30 game suspension which San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik served 28 games, Hrabik is not expected back at the Barracuda and most likely for the rest of the season. Hrabik during a game against the Tucson Roadrunners made racist gestures to Roadrunners  Boko Imama who is African Canadian. It’s pretty easy to predict that the reason for not bringing Hrabik back is because he’s pretty toxic after what he did in the Jan 12th.

#2 It was too early in the morning Wednesday as the San Jose Barracuda (20-34-2) just couldn’t wake up against the visiting Ontario Reign (36-14-4) after giving up three goals in the first period on Classroom day at the SAP Center that featured a 10:30 AM start.

#3 The Barracuda have now lost five straight after losing Ontario 6-3. The Barracuda have suffered on both sides on the puck on defense and offense.

#4 Evan Weinger scored his 12th goal of the season and scored two points in his last three games. Weinger set a single season high in goals, assists and points.

#5 The Barracuda are in Stockton tonight. The Barracuda lost all four of their meeting with the Heat in March. Here it is April can the Barracuda win one at least one of the two remaining games tonight or Sunday?

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each weekend at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Reign dominate overmatched Barracuda 6-3

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The San Jose Barracuda were beaten by three goals by the Ontario Reign in a Wed Mar 30, 2022 matinee at the SAP Center in San Jose (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — It was an early morning mismatch.

The Ontario Reign scored every which way but loose in a 6-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday morning at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost five games in a row and anchor the basement of the Pacific Division with 44 points and 10 games remaining in the season. Ontario has won three out of its last four games and have clinched a playoff spot in the division as they sit in second place with 79 points.

Ontario (36-14-4-3) drew first blood just under five minutes into the first period. An odd man rush led to Akil Thomas poking home his own rebound for his second goal of the season at the 4:36 mark.

The Reign doubled its lead at the 12:45 mark of the opening frame. A shot from Thomas Hickey was cleaned up by Samuel Fagemo who banked the puck off of ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock into the back of the net for his 22nd goal of the season.

San Jose (20-34-2-2) responded with a late goal in the first period. Evan Weinger skated in on Reign goalie Matthew Villalta, who made the initial save on Weinger’s shot. Jasper Weatherby trailed the play and cashed in the rebound for his fourth goal of the season at the 15:50 mark.

Ontario scored a tic-tac-toe goal on the power play with just under a minute left in the first period. Thomas hammered a home a one-timer from between the faceoff circles for his second goal of the game and third of the season at the 19:02 mark.

Thomas. who hadn’t scored in his first 25 games, now has three goals in his last three games.

Ontario dominated the shot clock 18-6 in the first period.

“We’re just taking it one game a time,” said ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer. “We’re trying to get some wins. No one is throwing in the towel. The trade deadline hurt us a lot. Now we’re just trying to find ways to win and stay in games early if we can.”

The Reign extended its lead early in the second period. Fagemo finished off a two-on-one odd man rush when he beat Stalock with a wrist shot for his second goal of the game and 23rd of the season at the 1:30 mark.

The Reign went up a 5-1 with a shorthanded goal. 10 second into the Barracuda power play Nikita Pavlychev skated in from the left wing and beat Stalock with a wrist shot for his second goal of the season at the 8:33 mark.

San Jose scored a power play goal just past the halfway mark of the middle frame. Joachim Blichfeld wired a wrist shot to the far side off the post that beat Villata for his team leading 22nd goal of the season at the 10:41 mark.

Blichfeld’s 11th power play goal tied a franchise record.

“It’s been (an) up and down (year),” said Blichfeld about how his season individually. “Obviously you want to be playing in the NHL and that has not happened so far. You just want to go out there and show the guys at the top that you can play in the NHL.”

Aiden Dudas scored his 10th goal of the season 39 seconds into the third period. Stalock had lost his goal stick during the play and Dudas took advantage with a wrist shot to the far side that Stalock had no chance at.

San Jose cut Ontario’s lead in half when Adam Raska set up Evan Weinger in the low slot and Weinger’s one-timer beat Villata for his 12th goal of the season at the 5:27 mark.

Villata finished the game stopping 28 of the 31 shots he faced in earning the victory. Stalock made 27 saves on 33 shots in suffering his third straight loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Ontario was 1-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Thomas 2) Fagemo 3) T.J. Tynan

It was the second ‘Cuda Classroom Day promotion of the season for the Barracuda.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a weekend series with the Stockton Heat on Saturday 4/2 at 6:00pm at the Stockton Arena.

Eagles have their way with the Barracuda in 4-0 shutout win

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San Jose Barracuda center Kyle Topping (71) and his teammates suffer another loss to the visiting Colorado Eagles at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Mar 28, 2022 (photo by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Colorado Eagles scored four goals in the first period en route to a commanding 4-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Monday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose has lost four games in a row and remain in the cellar of the Pacific Division with 44 points. Colorado has won two games in a row.

Colorado (32-19-4-3) drew first blood past the halfway mark of the first period. Martin Kaut found Jordon Gross along the left wing. Gross lasered a wrist shot to the far side top shelf past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his 10th goal of the season at the 11:46 mark.

The Eagles doubled its lead 34 seconds later. Kiefer Sherwood set up Stefan Matteau in the slot and Matteau beat Sawchenko with a one-timer for his third goal of the season.

Colorado made San Jose pay for taking a frustration penalty just nine seconds into their first power play to score their third unanswered goal of the opening frame. Rob Hamilton blasted a slap shot to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:57 mark.

The Eagles scored its second power play goal just under two minutes later. Dylan Sikura set up Mikhail Malstev right front of the crease. Maltsev beat Sawchenko with a shot between legs for his 16th goal of the season at the 16:55 mark.

Maltsev has three goals in two games against San Jose.

“We didn’t have a whole lotta jump (in our game),” said assistant head coach Michael Chiasson. “We didn’t defend from the inside out. We didn’t bring the puck out cleanly when we had to.”

San Jose (20-33-2-2) only had six shots on goal despite having a five-on-three power play toward the end of the first period.

Neither team was able to score in the middle frame as Colorado outshot San Jose 11-9.

Special teams play haunted San Jose by giving up two power play goals and not being able to score on six opportunities with the man advantage.

“The special teams put us behind the eight ball. We didn’t generate too much on the power play,” Chiasson said.

San Jose, having played with a depleted lineup, didn’t show any desperation in the third period with just five shots on goal.

Eagles goalie Hunter Miska had a relatively easy evening as he stopped all 20 shots to earn his first shutout victory of the season. Sawchenko made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-6 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gross 2) Miska 3) Jayson Megna

San Jose traded defenseman Mark Alt to the Rochester Americans for forward Mason Jobst. Alt three goals and a total of eight points for the Barracuda this season.

UP NEXT: San Jose concludes its five-game homestand when they host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday at 10:00am.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda can’t hold onto lead with second period meltdown at SAP Center

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The San Jose Barracuda Joachim Blichfeld (86) scored his 50th career AHL goal in the first period against the Colorado Eagles at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 26, 2022 (photo from wikipedia.com)

On San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko if you light the lamp the San Jose Barracuda lit it up in the first period with goals by Joachim Blichfeld, Evan Weinger, Adam Raska, and Antonine Morand only Jayson Megna the long goal for the Colorado Eagles. Blichfeld’s goal was his 50th AHL career goal.

#2 That first period was what many can recall as one of their best starts of a game in a long while at the first period intermission the Cuda had a 4-1 lead.

#3 The Eagles wasted no time beginning the second period scoring at 36 seconds by Callahan Burke, Mikhail Maltsev was the key goal scorer for the Eagles in the second period scoring at 2:51 to make it 4-3 later with the score Barracuda 5 and Eagles 4 Maltsev tied it up scoring a full strength goal at 9:39 making it 5-5. The Eagles closed the period off to regain the lead with a goal by Jacob McDonald at 19:50 on the power play to take the lead at the intermission 6-5.

#4 Like we talked about just before the third period that the goal scoring settled down between both teams taking shots on net talk about the defense from both the Eagles and Barracuda in the third period. The Eagles added an empty net goal by Kiefer Sherwood to finish up with a 7-5 win at SAP Center tonight.

#5 Tough finish for the Barracuda who opened the game up with that 4-1 lead and finish losing by two goals 7-5 and couldn’t get on the board to come back and tie this one up in the third period. It just seemed like they petered out after that four goal first period.

#6 Little eye opener towards the end of the contest when the Barracuda’s Montana Onyebuchi and the Eagles Stefan Matteau tangled for fighting penalties.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts weekends at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Eagles overcome first period deficit in 7-5 comeback win over Barracuda

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The Colorado Eagles made a second period comeback on the San Jose Barracuda at SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 26, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — It was a good old Wild Wild West shootout at the Shark Tank.

The Colorado Eagles overcame a three goal deficit with a five goal second period for a 7-5 comeback victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost three games in a row. Colorado snapped its two-game losing streak.

San Jose (20-32-2-2) drew first blood early in the first period. Jayden Halbgewachs set up Joachim Blichfeld on a two-on-zero odd man rush. Blichfeld beat Eagles goalie Justus Annunen with a wrist shot for his team leading 21st goal of the season at the 4:29 mark.

It was Blichfeld’s 50th career AHL goal.

The Barracuda doubled its lead just over two minutes later. Jasper Weatherby sprung Evan Weinger on a breakaway in the neutral zone. Weinger skated around one defender before depositing the puck between the five-hole of Annunen for his 11th goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered of the period a faceoff win in the Eagles zone. A shot from the point pinballed in front of the crease that leaked behind Annunen. Adam Raska cleaned up the rebound for his fourth goal of the season at the 14:06 mark.

Colorado (31-19-4-3) answered back when Jayson Megna was left all alone in the crease to tap home a centering pass from Kifer Sheerwood for his eighth goal of the season at the17:40 mark.

Newly acquired Antoine Morand made it 4-1 when he scored his first goal in a Barracuda uniform. Off of a turnover, Raska found Morand between the faceoff circles and he wired a wrist shot off the post and into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season at the 18:37 mark.

Morand was one of the players the San Jose Sharks traded for at the NHL trade deadline back on Monday. He came via the Tampa Bay Lightning for goalie Alexei Melnichuk.

Annunen was replaced by Hunter Miska to start the second period as he made six saves on just 10 ten shots.

Colorado cut the lead in half 36 seconds into the second period. Callahan Burke got ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock to go down before sliding the puck past him for a short-handed goal, his 11th of the season.

The Eagles special teams made it a one-goal game over two minute later on the power play. Jordan Gross’ shot from the point was redirected by Mikhail Malstev for his 14th goal of the season at the 2:51 mark.

Colorado scored the equalizer with its second short-handed goal in less than five minutes. Martin Kaut scored on a breakaway for an unassisted goal, his 13th of the season at the 4:15 mark.

San Jose responded on the same power play when Nick Cicek rifled home a wrist shot to the far corner top shelf 29 seconds later for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:54 mark.

The Eagles made it an even 5-5 when Malstev sent a shot off of Stalock that bounced up in the air and was accidentally knocked in by Kyle Topping who was attempting to clear the puck. It was Malstev’s second goal of the game and 15th of the season.

Colorado gained its first lead with their second power play goal of the period. Jacob MacDonald blasted a slap shot from the right faceoff circle that beat Stalock to the short side for his fourth goal of the season with 10 seconds left in a wilder middle frame.

The Eagles sealed the deal with 1:33 remaining in the third period when Sheerwood scored an empty net goal, his 28th on the season.

Miska stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced in 40 minutes to earn the victory. Stalock made 25 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Weatherby 2) Mastev 3) Raska

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand versus the Colorado Eagles on Monday 3/28 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

Canucks cruise past Barracuda 4-1

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The Abbottsford Canucks made work of the San Jose Barracuda with a three goal win at SAP Center in San Jose Thu Mar 24, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Abbotsford Canucks had four different goal scorers in a balanced attack to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-1 on Thursday evening at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

San Jose has lost three of their past four games and are nine points out of the seventh and final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Abbotsford has won four games in a row and five of its past six games and have climbed up to third in the division with 65 points.

Abbotsford (30-19-4-1) scored two goals in a two-minute span in the first 10 minutes of the first period.

Jarid Lucosevicius set up Sheldon Rempal in front of the crease. Rempal’s wrist shot trickled past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his 25th goal of the season at the 6:54 mark.

Then Sheldon Dries cleaned up the rebound from a Madison Bowey shot from the point for his team leading 32nd goal of the season at the 8:56 mark.

San Jose (20-31-2-2) outshot Abbotsford by a two-to-one margin 12-6 but headed into the first intermission scratching their heads down by two goals.

The Barracuda cut the lead in half early in the second period. Santeri Hatakka found Jayden Halbgewachs along the left wing as he skated in from the point. Halbgewachs beat Canuck’s goalie Spencer Martin with a wrist shot to the far side top shelf for his 16th goal of the season at the 7:22 mark.

Halbgewachs now has 34 points on the season, one shy of his career high with 13 games remaining.

Abbotsford scored an insurance goal on the power play near the halfway mark of the third period. John Stevans sent a centering pass to the back post where Yushiroh Hirano tapped home the puck past Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 9:26 mark.

Bowey sealed the deal for the Canucks with an empty net goal, his seventh of the season, at the 19:01 mark.

Martin finished the night stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock made 14 saves on 17 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Abbotsford was 1-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Martin 2) Dries 3) Rempal

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its five-game homestand hosting the Colorado Eagles on Saturday 3/26 at 1:15pm at SAP Center.